There’s only one thing better than the smell of a good barbecue — it’s eating good barbecue.

You can do just that, for free, all day, at the seventh annual BBQ on the Bypass on Sunday, Sept. 16.

Thousands are expected to take in the flavours of southern style barbecue as barbecue pitmasters and their teams from around the Pacific Northwest set up camp in Langley to compete for thousands of dollars in prizes, trophies and a chance to compete at the Jack Daniels’ World BBQ Championships in Tennessee.

Just to get your mouth watering, barbecue teams will be making beef brisket, ribs, chicken, pork butt and a mystery meat in the Black Box — Iron Chef category.

Each type of meat, slowly cooked to perfection, is offered in samples to the public.

What started out as a new concept to bring to the Lower Mainland, has turned into a massive success with people travelling from all over to take in southern barbecue, said BBQ on the Bypass founder and organizer Angie Quaale.

“It’s at capacity for barbecue teams and the public, but if I move the event to somewhere else it would have to stop being a free event,” said Quaale.

“Right now we are the only free barbecue event in B.C.”

The event will be emceed by well-known culinary expert, Chef Dez. Local rock cover band OS5 will perform with lead singer Karen Lee Batten, a finalist on the first season of Canadian Idol.

Throughout the day there will be activities for children, including face painting and games. There is also the third year for the B.C. Pie Bake Off.

“Anyone can enter a pie,” said Quaale.

A panel of certified judges including returning judge Langley City Mayor Peter Fassbender, will make the final decision about whose barbecue reigns supreme.

Founded in 2005 by award winning pitmaster Quaale, “B.C.’s Queen of BBQ” and the owner of Well Seasoned, the BBQ on the Bypass has become one of the premier events in Langley each year.

Southern style barbecuing competitions have taken Quaale all over North America to compete.

She was in Washington last week and all over the States and Prairie provinces this summer.

“It’s a huge part of my life,” said Quaale, who took over as Langley Chamber of Commerce president this year.

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What: 2012 BBQ on the Bypass bbqonthebypass.com

When: Sunday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: 20771 Langley Bypass

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